When to Visit Barolo, Italy: Let’s talk seasons

Interested in the ‘best time’ to visit Barolo, Italy? Spoiler alert: it’s anytime.

Situated in Southwestern Piedmont, the Barolo wine region is home to amazing food, world-class wines, and majestic vineyard scenery.

In recent years, global attention increased thanks in part to the 2014 UNESCO World Heritage Site designation of the Langhe-Roero, and Monferrato vineyard landscape. As such, this part of the Piedmont wine region has gotten a lot of global attention in recent years, sending visitors to Northern Italy in record numbers.

The Barolo wine region enjoys four distinct seasons, each offering its own magic.

For visitors coming to the area, some practical things to consider include seasonality and weather.

A few words on Barolo weather

The Piedmont region is humid. In cooler months, that means the cold sinks into your bones and in the summer, mosquitoes are rampant. We suggest dressing in layers and keeping bug spray close.

BAROLO WEATHER TIPS:

October is typically the wettest month; bring your raincoat, umbrella, and proper shoes
On average, July is the warmest and driest month; wear shorts, but don’t forget close-toed shoes if you are spending time in the vineyards. And, drink lots of water.
On average, January is the coolest month. (Source Weather-climate.com)

A few words on Barolo tourism

Seasonality is such an interesting thing. It used to be rare to find tourists from December to April. In the last decade, Barolo, Italy has gained global attention, making tourism more continuous throughout the year.

As such, we recommend booking activities, dining, and more as far out as a year for high season and three to six months out for lower tourism times. But, also be aware of seasonal closures so you know when it’s slower – and, the benefits to being here during that time.

Take Note: Seasonal Closures in Barolo, Italy

August

August remains the primary holiday month for much of Italy, centered around the August 15th Ferragosto holiday. That means visiting Barolo in the month of August has some unique considerations. In the Langhe, closures vary from long weekends to one, two, and even three weeks.

Winter and Early Spring

Parts of winter and early spring also see some unique dates:

Traditional seasonal closures when many restaurants in the villages and countryside shutter for a short period.
Some major wine trade events that take wine producers away from home. Don’t worry, there are still plenty of producers to visit, you just might spend a little extra time finalizing appointments. Of course, if you are staying at Scarpa Villas, we can help you with your bookings.

WHY VISIT BAROLO, ITALY DURING THE LOW SEASON?

Remember, when the area is slower, it means more time with producers, fewer crowds in the towns and villages, and more opportunities to get to know the culture. It also gives you a chance to try all the other fantastic activities the area has to offer from day trips to the seaside and Turin to food experiences like cooking classes and truffle hunts to outdoor adventures like hike and cycling.

If you are coming for the wine, low season means more attention from the wineries during your visits and more appointment opportunities.
Fewer crowds in the main cities and villages.
It’s easier to book tables at restaurants and find seating at the area’s favorite wine bars.

When to visit Barolo, Italy: Tis the season.

We’ll let you in on a little secret: anytime is a good time to visit the Piedmont wine region, particularly Barolo. Here are things to know about visiting the area, broken down by season.

Winter in Barolo: December, January, February

Winter used to be a pretty quiet time in the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato. But, today, more visitors are using this relaxed period to get more of an insider’s view of the area.

We often encourage people who are looking to experience the fabled Alba White Truffle to wait until December to visit the Piedmont region.

Here’s why:

Truffles are better in colder weather.
The annual Alba White Truffle Fair concludes at the end of November, so the tourist crowds are gone, making it easier to book restaurants, winery visits, and you might even find that the truffle prices level out a bit.
The holiday season is just around the corner, adding a festive glow to the area — and the people.

FROM JANUARY TO FEBRUARY, SOME HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND TOURIST ACTIVITIES CLOSE FOR THE SEASON. BUT, THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THERE IS NOT PLENTY TO DO.

Wineries reopen from their holiday break the first or second week of January and while they have plenty of work, they have a little extra time to spend with excited, interested visitors.

If you like snow sports, there is not a better time to visit Barolo than in the winter. The nearby foothills offer plenty of skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and more snowy day fun.

Spring in Barolo: March, April, May

Come March, the area starts coming back to life; the countryside bursts with color, from trees, shrubs, and flowers to bud break on the vines. You can get lost in the endless shades of green alone.

Besides the official start of the growing season, the other buzz in the spring is the introduction of the new Barolo and Barbaresco vintages. Often the villages host tasting events at the enoteca regionale or cantina sociale.

In Barbaresco, don’t miss Barbaresco a Tavolo. The program, organized by the Enoteca Regionale del Barbaresco, runs three consecutive Fridays in May. Each Friday, dinner is offered at select restaurants with a five-course, fixed dinner paired with about 20 new release Barbareschi (different wines are poured every week), all served blind. Patrons get a sheet to make tasting notes, then at the end of the evening, the wines are revealed.

In May, taste through an array of Piedmont wines at the Vinum festival in Alba. The primary areas featured include the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato. Experience guided and curated tastings by the AIS (Italian Association of Sommeliers) as well as self-discovery.

Summer in Barolo: June, July, August

Of course, summer is always a favorite time to visit Barolo. The important things to know are that it’s a busy time, so advance planning will serve you well. In terms of the natural surroundings, the grapes start to change color, making the vineyards ripe for exploration.

Festivals and events run constantly throughout the summer. If you are a music fan, don’t miss the Monforte Jazz Festival or Barolo’s Collisioni Festival:

Monforte Jazz Festival: Jazz performances take place at the outdoor amphitheater in the historic hilltop village of Monforte d’Alba (the Barolo zone). Shows run July and August.
Collisioni, Barolo: The biggest music festival in the region. Collisioni runs three nights in July with international musicians playing in the center of Barolo village.

Fall in Barolo: September, October, November

Fall in Barolo, Italy. Where to even begin? Well, let’s start with the harvest. September and October have energy unlike any other as the vintage begins its journey to the bottle. A visit in the fall means when you visiting wineries, you may see grapes as they arrive, the sorting table in action, destemming, crush, press, and a whole lot more.

Around town, restaurants are filled to the brim with locals and visitors alike. So, for fall travel in Barolo, make your reservations early.

Every weekend in the fall, a festa or sagra is going on in the Piedmont wine region.
Always a favorite is Verduno’s Pelaverga festa – a day dedicated to Verduno’s red indigenous grape.

And, don’t miss all the exciting September events, including:

Festa del Vino: Each year, Alba brings together the winemaking communes of the Langhe and Roero for a wine festival with an opportunity for visitors to sample wines from each location. Cost is 13 euros for a souvenir glass and wine holder.
Asti Palio: The traditional, grand Palio in Asti, takes place in the city’s historic center.
Alba’s Palio degli Asini or The Alba Donkey Palio: Yes, that’s right, Alba has a donkey race. Legend has it that the city of Alba used to win the Asti Palio; the locals didn’t like losing to their neighbors, so they stopped inviting Alba to participate. Alba didn’t flinch, instead, they began hosting this now infamous event.

As harvest winds down, another of the area’s most loved treasure starts to surface – the Alba White Truffle.

In October and November, the city of Alba plays host to the world’s largest truffle festival, Fiera Internazionale Tartufo Bianco d’Alba. Every Saturday and Sunday in October and November the truffle market and other truffle fair activities keep the city cram packed with visitors from all over the world. Make sure to book your truffle hunt and truffle activities well in advance.

Truffle hunting.

Other October and November events include:

Piacere Barbaresco: A two-day event in October that features Barbaresco wines from recent vintages as well as some older vintages. Check the Enoteca Regionale del Barbaresco site for details, updated closer to the event.
Bagna Cauda Day: A three-day event that celebrates one of the region’s most prized dishes. Bagna Cauda is an olive oil-based fondue of anchovy and garlic served over an open flame to keep it warm. Seasonal vegetables and bread accompany it for dipping.

As we said, anytime is a good time to visit Barolo, Italy.

In fact, we suggest making annual trips and rotate your visits to experience all the seasons here

Photo Credit: Andrew Taylor Photography, Luchino Photo